Learning programmes: oriental to skill-based
India offers learning in three styles: oriental (Sanskrit, Pali, Persian, traditional knowledge), conventional (campus degrees) and non-conventional (open, distance, online), plus professional, technical and skill streams.
Three styles of learning
| Type | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Oriental | Classical languages and Indian knowledge systems | Sanskrit universities; Pali, Prakrit, Persian and Arabic studies; Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga |
| Conventional | Full-time, campus-based, fixed timetable and attendance | BA, BSc, MA in colleges and universities |
| Non-conventional | Flexible in time, place and pace: open, distance and online | IGNOU and state open universities, SWAYAM, correspondence courses |
How oriental and distance learning took shape
Early colonial oriental institutions included the Calcutta Madrasa (1781) and the Benaras Sanskrit College (1791). Macaulay's Minute (1835) tilted official policy towards English education. After independence, Delhi University began correspondence courses in 1962, Andhra Pradesh opened the first open university in 1982 (now Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University), and IGNOU followed in 1985. The Central Sanskrit Universities Act, 2020 gave three Sanskrit institutions central university status.
Regulators of professional education
| Field | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Engineering, technology, management | AICTE |
| Medicine | National Medical Commission (replaced the MCI in 2020) |
| Law | Bar Council of India |
| Teacher education | NCTE |
| Agriculture | ICAR |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacy Council of India |
| Architecture | Council of Architecture |
| Nursing | Indian Nursing Council |
Technical and skill-based education
- Technical tiers: IITs, NITs and IIITs (degrees); polytechnics (diplomas); ITIs (trade certificates).
- Skill India Mission (2015) and PMKVY: short-term training and certification for jobs.
- National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF): 10 levels, letting skills and degrees be compared.
- B.Voc degrees and community colleges bring skills into higher education.
- NEP 2020 aims to give at least half of all learners exposure to vocational education.
How NET asks this: classify a programme as oriental, conventional or non-conventional, match professions with their regulators (law-BCI, teacher education-NCTE), or recall the first open university.
Typical MCQ: “Which body regulates legal education in India?” The Bar Council of India.
Typical MCQ: “Which was India's first open university?” Andhra Pradesh Open University (1982), now Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.
O-C-N: Old texts (oriental), Campus (conventional), No fixed place or time (non-conventional).